When the weather turns cool and the leaves turn a riot of color, fall has arrived in all of its glory. It is one of the best times of the year, and people tend to get very excited about autumn. They look forward to the cool temperatures, fall foliage and upcoming holidays. However, this excitement can tend to make them relax their guard, which is just the weakness that thieves are ready to exploit. Don’t let this happen to you this fall. Follow these tips to ensure that you keep your home safe this fall and winter.

An Open Window Is Dangerous

One of the things that people love the most about fall is that the temperatures turn cool. They no longer have to deal with the unbearable summer heat, and many people respond by throwing open their windows to let in all of that crisp autumn air. Breathing in this brisk air is a delightful sensation, but it can be very dangerous for home security.

Thieves love the fall because of all of these open windows. When a window is open, thieves see it as an invitation to come inside and do a little free shopping. They know they don’t have to worry about alarm systems when the windows are open. They can just slip right in unnoticed.

It is okay to open your windows during the fall, but be smart about it. Before you go to bed or leave the house, go around and shut all of the windows to keep thieves from using them as an access point. You can leave your bedroom windows open at night if you want to, but even that is risky if your bedroom is on the ground floor. To be on the safe side, make sure to keep those windows closed this fall.

Holiday Vacations

Another dangerous thing about this time of year for homeowners is that they are often going out of town for holiday vacations. When you leave town for an extended period of time, it is the most likely time that burglars will strike. You need to protect your home while you are away with security alarm monitoring.

When you have a good home security alarm and video surveillance installation in your house, you can rest assured that your home is in good hands while you are on vacation. Any thief who is stupid enough to try and break into your house when you are gone will set the alarm off. The sound of the alarm will send him running, and the video cameras will capture him on film.

When your home security system comes with security alarm monitoring, your security company will be notified immediately when the alarm is triggered. This is very helpful when you are out of town. If you don’t have a monitored alarm, then the police may not even be notified of a break-in at your home until you get back.

Make sure to invest in security alarm monitoring as well as video surveillance installation. The video will come in handy when the police catch the burglar who tried to break into your home. This video footage will ensure that he goes to jail for a long time.

Each year brings new advances in security alarm monitoring and keeping up with trends, and new features help a homeowner keep the residence as safe as possible from burglars or any type of security threat. Today’s advanced security systems reach far beyond a few alarms installed at the entrances to the home, and there are many ways to configure a security system for a spectacularly safe home.

Homeowners Can “See” the House at Any Time

Wireless Internet has made it easy for a homeowner to consider video surveillance installation with every nook and cranny covered with a video feed. This is possible because cameras are no longer tied to wires and power outlets. The Internet has also granted homeowners additional benefits as the status of all those cameras, and the rest of the security system may be available through a device like a smart phone or tablet computer.

For example, when a homeowner goes to work in the morning, it’s the job of the security system to alert the security company about a potential threat, but now the homeowner can be kept in the loop as well with email updates whenever something potentially suspicious occurs at the house. A spouse arriving home early and disarming the system unexpectedly won’t be cause for concern because checking on the video feed is as easy as loading a video clip on a smartphone.

Interactive Systems with Extra Benefits

The concept of a “smart house” is something that technophiles have talked about for years. Installations of systems that provide convenience, as well as security, have become something available to any homeowner, and not just a feature of homes in Hollywood movies. Security alarm monitoring companies today often provide extra features like the ability to control the air conditioning system remotely as well as the opportunity to turn lights on and off when away from home.

Tips for Installing an Advanced System

Modern security systems do offer some advantages over the way systems were designed in the past, and it’s a good idea to consider the following features for enhanced security alarm monitoring.

1. Consider a cellular-based system: a thief can’t cut a cell phone signal and disarm the system unless he goes to all the surrounding cell phone towers and topples them (which is a rather significant project unlikely to entice any thief). If cell phone service isn’t available in a homeowner’s area, such as in the case of rural homes, a system should still have a backup power system just in case the thieves are able to cut power to the home.

2. Never let the system do all the work: after video surveillance installation is complete, a homeowner can’t assume that the alarm system is going to do all the work. Whether a homeowner has an extensive security system installed, or whether there are just a few surveillance cameras protecting the property, doesn’t matter. Habits that promote security and safety like keeping doors locked at all times remain essential to ensure the best results from the security system.

A study by Temple University suggests that homes without security systems are a much bigger target for burglars. No alarm system can offer 100 percent safety, but the threat of burglary, vandalism, and home invasion is drastically reduced with video surveillance installation.